American Falls, viewed from the Canadian side.
The American Falls is one of three waterfalls that together are known as
Niagara Falls on the Niagara River along the
Canada-U.S. border. Unlike the much larger Horseshoe Falls, which is on the Canadian side of the border, the
American Falls is completely within the U.S. state of New
York.
The falls receive approximately 10% of the flow from Niagara River, with most of the rest going over Horseshoe Falls, from which it is separated by Goat
Island. It has a straight line crest width of about 253 m (830 feet). If measured along the jagged lip of the falls, the
crest is about 290 m (950 feet) long. The torrent of water passing over the crest of the falls is about 0.6 m (2 feet) deep.
The height of the American Falls ranges between 21 to 34 metres (70-110 feet). This measurement is taken from the top of the
Falls to top of the rock pile (talus). The height of the Falls from the top of the Falls to the river is 57 metres (188
feet).
American Falls, viewed from the New York side, looking towards Goat Island. Horseshoe Falls is visible in the background.
The falls are viewable from a steep angle on the American side, where it is possible to approach to within several meters of
the edge of the falls. One can view the falls from the bank of the river, as well as on Goat Island and Luna Island, which are accessible by a pedestrian bridge that crosses the rapids of the Niagara river
upstream from the falls. The falls are viewable head-on from the Canadian side in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The ledge of the American Falls is shaped in a modified "W" form, caused by numerous rockfalls over the past 150 years which
have resulted in the huge mound of rock at its base. The most notable recent rockfall occurred in 1954 with the collapse of Prospect Point to the north.
To survey the rockfall and determine how to prevent the falls from becoming a series of rapids,
the American Falls were drained dry from May to November 1969. Results conflict as to whether
tourist attendance that season was higher or lower than normal. Attendance increases were likely due to the news that the
cataract was dried off; decreases in tourists could be attributed to the fact people thought both cataracts (the American
and Horseshoe Falls) were dewatered that year. By December 1969, the American Falls were
flowing again. In the mid-1970s, it was decided not to make alterations to the rock wall and remove the talus, citing the trend
to allow nature to take its course.
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